Feds don't oppose freeing ex-cop pending retrial

Arthur Kaufman was accused of conspiracy to obstruct justice and make false statements, false prosecution, falsification of evidence, obstruction of justice concerning the firearm, false statements, falsification of victim statements and fabrication of witnesses. He was convicted in Aug. 2011. He was granted a new trial on Sept. 17, 2013.

WDSU

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Arthur Kaufman was accused of conspiracy to obstruct justice and make false statements, false prosecution, falsification of evidence, obstruction of justice concerning the firearm, false statements, falsification of victim statements and fabrication of witnesses. He was convicted in Aug. 2011. He was granted a new trial on Sept. 17, 2013.

WDSU

Federal prosecutors aren't opposed to freeing a retired New Orleans police sergeant from prison while he awaits a new trial on charges stemming from deadly shootings on a bridge in Hurricane Katrina's aftermath.

In a scathing order released on Tuesday, a federal judge has granted a request for new trials for five former New Orleans police officers convicted of civil rights violations stemming from deadly shootings on a bridge in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Attorneys for five men convicted in connection with the killings and cover-ups on the Danziger Bridge following Hurricane Katrina could seek to have their clients released on bond, now that a judge has ordered a new trial in the case.

In a court filing Thursday, prosecutors said one of the reasons they aren't challenging Arthur Kaufman's bond request is that he didn't fire a gun on the Danziger Bridge when police shot and killed two unarmed people and wounded four others.

Kaufman is one of five former officers whose convictions were thrown out last week by a judge who ruled the case had been tainted by "grotesque prosecutorial misconduct."

U.S. District Judge Kurt Engelhardt sentenced Kaufman to six years in prison after jurors convicted him of participating in a cover-up to make the shootings appear justified.